We’ve all seen them on the TV programmes about rogue traders and incompetent workmen. They are the cowboys that get us professional and reliable tradesmen a bad name.

Here are 5 typical mistakes to help you spot the John Wayne’s from top quality decorators.

1. Cheap tools. It is simple; if you are using poor quality tools then you are not going to achieve a beautiful finish. If you want to provide a first class piece of work you need to use top quality tools. A set of brushes from the pound shop are not going to cut it.

As you are no doubt aware Father’s Day is almost upon us. I spotted an interesting survey carried out by the MyBuilder website asking Dads what they actually wanted as a present for their special day.

Now I know that many people have an image of Dad as a DIY expert desperate to find things around the house and garden just waiting to be fixed. Sorry to disappoint, but most Dads just aren’t as into DIY as much as you might think.

I do like to do a thorough job when I am painting a room. It makes for a professional finish and can save money for you, the customer, in the long run.

Here are just a few of the ‘extras’ I provide:

Door handles and window catches. Wherever possible I will remove door handles and window catches prior to painting. I don’t think anything looks much worse than a paint-spattered window catch. The same goes for light switches and sockets.

"Lloyd Decorators have just completed painting my whole house, which I was rather dreading – the process not the end result! The house was shabby, and complex with repairs to be made and fiddly woodwork to be painted too.Mr. Lloyd was most helpful from the visit to quote for the work, kept to the estimated time plan for doing the work, and supervised his team while they were working.The men on the job were helpful, discrete and very skilled – making the process of moving furniture etc as easy as possible. And, to top it all, I love the end result. They have transformed my house, and I am delighted – so I am delighted to recommend the company.My sons recommended the company to me – and I am very glad that I listened to them!"